New Walmart Brings Savings on Groceries to Bowling Green
Relocated store provides 130 new jobs, $21,000 in local grants BOWLING GREEN, Mo., Oct. 1, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Bowling Green, bringing approximately 130 planned new jobs, savings on a full line of groceries and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at 3 Town Center Drive, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14. Store Designed to Improve Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandising and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Bowling Green Walmart. The new Walmart features wide aisles, enhanced service and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. “The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said store manager Travis St. Aubyn. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.” A bright interior color palette creates an inviting shopping experience and helps define the store’s merchandise areas. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Walmart also combined the customer service desk, site to store pick-up location and photo lab in one area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs. The Bowling Green Walmart will employ approximately 200 associates, including 130 new positions that were added as a result of the relocation. Thirty of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, and 11 have worked at Walmart for 20 years or more. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $21,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Nine local organizations will each receive grants to support programs that serve the community including: Bowling Green Elementary School; Clopton School District; Heart to Heart Community Outreach; New Harmony Christian Church; Pike County Council on Aging; Pike County Sheriff’s Department; Pike County Youth Football; Trimble House and Twin Pike Family YMCA. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Bowling Green Walmart, like all new Walmartludes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store’s skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. The cement used in the concrete flooring is made with recycled materials, and the floor’s finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration, 7:30 a.m., Oct. 14
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Representatives from local organizations will be on hand for grant presentations, and long-time store associates will be recognized as part of the celebration. About Walmart
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. EDITOR’S NOTES - An invitation-only open house for grant recipients and other VIPs is scheduled at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12. It will include preview tours. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store manager Travis St. Aubyn is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 573-324-0040.
FACT SHEET
Bowling Green Walmart Store facts - Location: 3 Town Center Drive, Bowling Green, Mo.
- Formerly located at 3310 W. Georgia St., Louisiana, Mo.
- 99,600-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store Manager: Travis St. Aubyn
- Open 24 hours, seven days a week
Store features - Full line of groceries including a bakery, a deli serving fresh food and meal solutions for moms, meat and dairy products and fresh produce
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
- Convenience services include a pharmacy, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
Charitable giving - $21,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Bowling Green Elementary School
- Clopton School District
- Heart to Heart Community Outreach
- New Harmony Christian Church
- Pike County Council on Aging
- Pike County Sheriff’s Department
- Pike County Youth Football
- Trimble House
- Twin Pike Family YMCA
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 200 associates, including 130 new positions added by the relocation
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Missouri is approximately $11.49 per hour*
- Walmart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include health insurance with no lifetime maximum. Walmart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance
* Average wage taken February 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information
• Store Manager: Travis St. Aubyn, 573-324-0040.
• Walmart information online: merchandise sales: www.walmart.com # # #
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